GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Police in Gallup are investigating the death of a high-ranking prosecutor.

They say the body of Chief Deputy Assistant District Attorney Jim Bierly was found about 1 [auth] a.m. Thursday in his home.

Gallup Police Deputy Chief John Allen says the case is being investigated as “an apparent suicide.”

The Gallup Independent says police were called to a neighbor’s house first to take a report from Bierly’s girlfriend. They say she wanted to report that she and her 9-year-old son allegedly had been battered.

She also reported that as she was leaving Bierly’s house, she heard several shots.

When police entered his house, they reported finding Bierly dead of a single gunshot wound.